Portrait of the past: River Arts District, the early years

Like other Biltmore artists, landscapers, crafts people and architects, stone carver Fred Miles stayed in the area working on other commissions after the house was completed in 1895.

When Marston Blow, a potter, moved into 123 Roberts Street in 1996, she joined co-tenants Future of Tradition, street performers who rented space in a former typewriter ribbon factory.
(Photo:
Courtesy of Marston Blow
,
Special to the Citizen-Times
)

The now-celebrated River Arts District was, in the 1980s, the site of warehouses, abandoned factories and bohemian artists. When Marston Blow, a potter, moved into 123 Roberts St. in 1996, she joined co-tenants Future of Tradition, street performers who rented space in a former typewriter ribbon factory. “I’d be making pottery, and belly dancers would be like ‘jing-a-jing-jingee’ — ‘Hi, Marston!’” as they walked to their entrance. Many key events preceded and followed the gathering at Roberts Street pictured here in a photo courtesy of Blow. The Highwater Center moved into the area in 1979, which led to the establishment of Highwater Clays and Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts. RiverLink purchased the Williams Feed Store and opened Warehouse Studios in 1989. The Preservation Society and RiverLink helped save the Cotton Mill after the 1995 fire. Mountain Housing Opportunities built the Prospect Terrace development in 2007 and began renovating the old Glen Rock Hotel. Every month reveals a new effort, including what will happen on the former Dave Steel site. To learn more, visit www.riverartsdistrict.com and www.ashevillerad.com.